March 18, 2016
ABFF Searches for Your Talent with HBO, Comcast NBCUniversal, TV One and McDonald’s
In keeping with the legacy of creating unique opportunities while actively working to diversify Hollywood, The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has partnered with HBO®, Comcast NBCUniversal, TV One and McDonald’s to develop talent discovery programs for up-and-coming actors, comedians, filmmakers and television hosts.
[Related: The Bunche Report: How Diversity Affects Hollywood’s Bottom Line]
“ABFF’s Talent Discovery Programs introduce dynamic content creators and artists to a broader audience,†says Melanie Sharee, ABFF programming director. “These programs are a rich mine for discovering new talent, and offer career springboards outside of the traditional film platform and entertainment industry.â€
Comcast NBCUniversal will partner with ABFF for two talent competitions at the festival this year. The Star Project searches to find the next fresh face for film and television. If you are an actor ready to compete for the opportunity to audition in front of judges who are executives and casting directors from NBC, this is the competition for you. Submission and deadline info: http://www.ABFF.com/star-project/.
Returning to the festival is Comcast NBCUniversal’s Television Hosting Workshop, designed to help emerging TV hosts sharpen their skills and identify dynamic personalities ready for on-air opportunities. Submission and deadline info: http://www.ABFF.com/nbcu-tv-hosting-workshop/.
ABFF’s 4th annual Comedy Wings Competition, sponsored by HBO®, is a national search to identify outstanding comedic talent — people who demonstrate a natural ability to be funny. Submission and deadline information:  http://www.ABFF.com/comedy-wings/.
The HBO® Short Film Competition is regarded as one of the country’s most prestigious short film screening series. Each year, five filmmakers (writers and/or directors of African descent) are selected to screen their film at the American Black Film Festival in Miami, Florida, where one winner will be selected to receive the HBO® Short Film Award and cash prize of $10,000. Submission and deadline information: http://www.ABFF.com/submissions/shorts/.
The McDonald’s Video Competition offers an exciting opportunity for aspiring filmmakers and challenges them to create a 90-second video based on the concept of McDonald’s 365Black mantra, “Deeply Rooted in Your Community.â€Â Three finalists will be selected to attend the ABFF and screen their video before the festival audience, where one winner will be selected. In addition, finalists will attend a private “Mentor Luncheon†with director Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man, Barbershop, The Best Man Holiday).  Submission and deadline info: http://www.ABFF.com/mcdonalds-video-competition/.
TV One’s 2nd annual Screenplay Competition will highlight three new writers who will receive an all- expense paid trip to the ABFF, where each finalist will get to direct a scene from their script. Each script will be performed by professional actors in front of a live audience at TV One’s “Celebrity Scene Stealers” event during the ABFF. Submission and deadline info: http://www.ABFF.com/tv-one-screenplay-competition/.
To purchase passes, tickets and/or book hotel rooms for the 2016 American Black Film Festival, visit www.ABFF.com. Join the conversation on social media using hashtag #ABFF20, #ABFFBackToTheBeach; @ABFF.